Women in Tech Meetup | AI Guardrails
AI Guardrails: What should AI be allowed to do at work?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to accelerate workplace transformation at an unprecedented pace. Unlike past industrial shifts that unfolded over decades, today’s workforce faces multiple technological shifts within a single career, thus requiring constant adaptability and a fundamental expansion of management to include both human and “synthetic” teammates. As organizations embrace AI as a collaborative partner, a crucial question emerges:
Just because AI can perform a task, does it mean it should?
Together, we will examine the critical intersections of AI capability, cybersecurity, and risk management. Considerations will include elements such as how to establish effective "edge controls" and governance frameworks without stifling innovation, evaluating use-case risks, and defining clear boundaries where AI must hand off to human expertise.
In the session, we will unpack:
The "Can vs. Should" Decision Framework: Moving beyond AI capability and into the “how to” of evaluating high-value AI use cases against organizational risk, ethics, and long-term business impact.
Effective Edge Controls: Practical strategies to implement nimble AI governance frameworks that protect data and security without stifling innovation.
Human-in-the-loop Boundaries: How to map those fine operational lines where AI use/automation ends and required human expertise/oversight begins.
Managing AI "Teammates": Core principles for integrating AI into daily workflows alongside human talent, ensuring accountability and seamless collaboration.
Human-Centric AI Governance: Actionable takeaways for fostering an adaptive work culture that prioritizes workforce agency, trust, and continuous learning amid rapid tech shifts.
Bio:
Dr. Kate Scarpena is Department Chair for Humanities and Social Sciences at Purdue Global, leading with a focus on innovation, equity, and educational excellence. As a tech-adjacent leader skilled in user experience (UX), compliance and policy, and data analytics, she specializes in analyzing how humans engage with technology, data, and institutional/organizational structures.
As a futurist and researcher, Kate is committed to exploring how higher education can evolve to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. Her research interests include the future of work, educational innovation, and preparing students to navigate complex global and cultural landscapes, and exploring how the past and present shape physical and technological landscapes. She brings this forward-looking perspective to her leadership, striving to bridge tradition with transformation in education.